What are AZO dyes?
Candy Mix & Match has chosen not to sell candy containing AZO dyes. As a result, we naturally limit our offer in our webshop, but it is a conscious choice.
Below we explain what AZO dyes are, what the health risks can be, in young children but also adults.
After reading you may understand why we made this choice.
What are azo dyes and why are they used?
If you ever eat or drink candies, snacks or soft drinks, you may have heard of azo dyes. These are artificial dyes that are mainly red, yellow, brown and black. They are used to give foods an attractive color.
Azo dyes get their name from a chemical compound they have: the azo group (-N=N-). This group does not occur in nature, but is artificially created in a laboratory. Azo dyes are cheap and stable at high temperatures and light. Therefore, they are widely used by the food industry.
What could be the dangers of azo dyes?
Although azo dyes are approved by the European Union and must be labeled with their name or E number, there are also concerns about the potential health risks of these substances. Some people may be allergic or hypersensitive to azo dyes. This can lead to skin rashes, asthma, hives or other complaints.
In addition, some azo dyes can be broken down into aromatic amines in the body. These are substances that can be carcinogenic. That is why there are strict rules about which azo dyes may and may not be used and what the maximum concentration may be in foods.
Young children in particular can be sensitive to azo dyes, because they eat relatively more sweets and snacks than adults. In addition, it is suggested that azo dyes may affect children's behavior, such as hyperactivity or concentration problems. Although this has not yet been scientifically proven, it is advised to be careful when using products with azo dyes in children.
How can you consume less azo dyes?
If you want to cut down on azo dyes, you can pay attention to the label of the products you buy. All dyes must be listed with their name or E number. Most E numbers starting with E1 contain an azo group. You can also opt for products that contain natural dyes, such as beetroot juice, turmeric or paprika extract.
However, the most important advice is not to consume too many snacks, soft drinks or sweets with AZO dyes.
Disclaimer: This blog post was written using the Bing search engine.
The information in this blog post is based on Bing search results and is not intended to constitute medical or nutritional advice.
Always consult a doctor or dietitian if you have any questions about your health or nutrition.
So also Bing and Candy Mix & Match are not responsible for the correctness, completeness or topicality of the information in this blog post.
